I would be surprised if they were magnesium. As I stated earlier, my guess would be zinc diecast based on the color of the inside of your photo. As far as good or bad, their valve covers. If you like the design thats good, if you liked that they were magnesium thats bad. Not too sure how they will hold a polish though, I think they will oxidize rather quickly.
if yer thinkin of coatin them and don't want to pop for zoop- i just laid down some eastwood diamond coat tonight on my covers- turned out pretty good- it dulled em a smidge, but well woth it, unless you are a compusive polisher
if they polished up to a really "bright" almost white looking shine,there more than likely magnesium,zinc or "pot metal"as it's refered looks kinda spotty when it's polished.if your brave you could always go back to the polishing shop and see if there's a pile of metal dust left from when they were preped,if you put it to fire it will make a bright flash,had that happen a few times in my buddy's polishing shop{he does'nt like to sweep the floor much and smokes}kinda kool though...quickrod
[ QUOTE ] zinc or "pot metal"as it's refered [/ QUOTE ] I never knew they were the same!! thanks for the heads up. The flatform of my bench grinder is pot metal and it cracked in half, what do I do to weld it, braize I was thinkin? Are there special rods made to arc weld pot-metal?
a good way to tell if something is magnesium, is to try and weld on it. Magnesium will make a "green tinted flash....... Lukester
The flatform of my bench grinder is pot metal and it cracked in half, what do I do to weld it, braize I was thinkin? Are there special rods made to arc weld pot-metal? [/ QUOTE ] OK- i have no affiliation to eastwood- i just own everything they make- which includes brazing rods for potmetal
just to maybe clarify a little,i was always told that "pot metal" was a term given to a metal that was'nt really a "PURE" type of metal,but more a mix of basically crap.also,i was told that's why it's so hard to weld because there's so much junk mixed together,the heat when trying to weld changes{hot and cold spots}hopefully someone with a little more welding experience can give some input,but this is what i was told sometime ago..
I don't really care what they are made of, honestly. I just dig their design and the fact that I've never seen another set like them. My only requirement is they stay shiny and seal well.
'nuff said then. If you have an older engine shop around you they will probably have a decking machine. It's just like a tabletop with a flat wheel that spins and raises up to the table deck. Just have them make a few light passes and they will be flat and seal perfectly
if you decide to get something to match the air cleaner I'd love those valve covers. If they are mag just let them sit out for a couple weeks and you'll know by how fast they dull.
Trust me, you wouldn't want them. I got stupid money into them... They stay no matter what. It's the air cleaner that may get cut from the program. I made one silver on an engine shot I have in photoshop, and the results were less than stellar.
Here's my experience in polishing aluminum, zinc, and magnesium. The aluminum has a bright color and holds polish the longest. The zinc is a little darker with spots as mentioned, and holds polish a bit shorter than aluminum. The magnesium has a tannish or brownish tint when compared to aluminum, and will dull in a week if near any kind of moisture. alchemy
django, i used to wrench at a ford shop and there was a really nice gasket for small blocks they were steel core with thick silicone beads on either side (not silicone like you squeaze from a tube)they always sealed and they hold their torque , i just cant remember what years they came on.ford parts guy should be able to find em. skull
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